Ecotowns have attracted further controversy, with a legal challenge being considered against the plans on the grounds that they bypass the normal planning system. The Local Government Association (LGA) recently consulted lawyers John Steel QC and James Strachan who concluded that the government’s new planning policy statement (PPS) to be used for ecotowns, was at odds with the plan-led system of development control, and appeared to exist simply to avoid the normal planning process.<br><br>Yet in the face of such a challenge, the government is continuing with its agenda, issuing on July 24 a set of “green standards” that all ecotowns would need to achieve, to coincide with its progress report on the plans. Housing minister Caroline Flint insisted that only the best quality schemes with the highest sustainability standards would qualify as ecotowns, and announced a range of standards the government was developing, including achieving zero carbon ratings across the building stock; earmarking 40% of the town’s land for green space, with at least half to be open to the public; allocating 30% affordable housing within the town to assist people onto the property ladder and provide more homes for social rent; creating more sustainable transport options to reduce car …